Detachable system for assembling two elements



J. ZELLER Sept. 30, 1969 DETACHABLE SYSTEM FOR ASSEMBLING 'IWO ELEMENTS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 27, 1967 I 7 WWW JEHN ZELLER 7 WM W J. ZELLER Sept. 30, 1969 DETACHABLE SYSTEM FOR ASSBMBLING TWO ELEMENTS Filed D60. 27, 1967 2 SheetsSheet I.

United States Patent Int. (:1. Essa 51/00, 55/00 US. Cl. 22978 3 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A connecting device comprising a first element, a hook member fixed to said first element, a covering member fixed to said first element, a second element and a retaining member fixed to said second element, whereby the hook member and covering member can be pushed into the retaining member so that the hook member engages said retaining member and the covering member is movable relative to the hook member to a position in which it covers the hook member and thus renders the hook member inoperative so that the hook and covering members can be withdrawn from the retaining member.

The present invention relates to a system enabling two elements to be assembled and separated by a relative movement between the said two elements or between devices integral therewith, the said system being usable for various purposes, particularly for closing, fixing, stretching, tightening, hooking, suspension, assembly or others.

For this purpose, the aforementioned detachable system for the assembly of two elements in accordance with the invention comprises a combination of a hooking device and a covering device affixed to the first of the two elements to be assembled, and a retaining device affixed to the second of the two elements to be assembled, the entire system being constructed in such a manner that the hooking device can be caused to engage with or disengage from the retaining device by a relative movement between them, on the one hand, and that the covering device can assume either of two positions, enabling the hooking device to engage the retaining device or preventing this engagement, as the case may be.

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge from the following description, reference being made therein to the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic longitudinal section of a first embodiment of the assembly system to which the invention relates;

FIG. 2 is a plan view;

FIGS. 3 to 8 are schematic diagrams of the various phases of the operation of connecting and separating the two elements to be assembled;

FIG. 9 is a schematic longitudinal section of a second version of an assembly system in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 10 is a plan view;

FIGS. 1l-16 are schematic diagrams of the different phases of the operation of interconnecting and separating two elements by the system shown in FIGS. 9 and 10.

In the example illustrated, the purpose is to close a pouch 1 by means of a flap 2. For this purpose, a tab 3, of a flexible material, such as plastic, strong paper and cardboard, leather, thin metal etc., is aifixed to the flap 2 at the point marked 4. The free end of the tab 3 is folded back at 5, in such a way as to form a V comprising a free branch 6.

A tongue 7, likewise of a flexible material, is attached 3,469,770 Patented Sept. 30, 1969 to the top of the tab 3, e.g. likewise at the point marked 4. The length of this tongue 7 is such that it partly penetrates the opening of the V, at 5.

A securing strap 8, at any suitable material, such as flexible plastic, semi-rigid or rigid plastic, strong paper and cardboard, dressed fabric, leather, thin metal etc., is aflixed to the pouch 1 in such a way as to leave a free space 9 between the lower surface of the securing strap and the surface of the pouch, in which space the tab 3 can be caused to engage.

A pulling piece 10 is attached to the tab 3, opposite the V-shaped end, and likewise at the point marked 4, for example.

The above system operates as follows:

In FIG. 3 the flap 2 is freely movable in relation to the pouch 1, enabling the opening of the latter to be released. To close the pouch, i.e. to connect the flap 2 firmly to it, the tab 3 and the parts integral with the latter are moved forward, in the direction shown by the arrow F1, in such a way as to fit it into the space 9 provided between the securing strap 8 and the upper surface of the pouch 1, thus moving the entire system into the relative positions shown in FIG. 4. In this position the V, shown at 5 and formed at the free end of the tab 3, has moved past the securing strap 8.

When the movable assembly is then pulled back in the direction shown by the arrow F2, by means of the pulling piece 10, the free branch 6 of the V comes to rest on the top of the securing strap 8, thus securing the V, at 5, on the said strap. The pouch 1 is thus closed by the flap 2.

To re-open the pouch, the movable assembly is once again moved forwards in the direction shown by the arrow F3, in such a way as to disengage the V-shaped end, 5, of the tab 3, from the securing strap 8. The V, at 5, is then bent, as well as the tongue 7, by movements shown by the arrows F4 and F5 respectively, in such a way as to move them into the position shown in FIG. 7, in which the tongue 7 covers the external surface of the free branch 6 of the V, 5.

When the movable assembly is then pulled back, by the aid of the pulling piece 10, in the direction shown by the arrow F6, the V, 5, can no longer engage the securing strap 8, so that the movable assembly can then be adjusted to the position shown in FIG. 8, in which the flap 2 is once again freely movable in relation to the pouch 1.

To enable the flap 2 to be once again secured to the pouch 1, the tongue 7 and the V, 5, must be restored to the relative positions shown in FIG. 3, this being done by elastic deformations of these two elements in a similar manner to that explained by reference to FIG. 6.

FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate a second method of constructing the system to which the invention relates. In this method, likewise relating to a pouch 1 capable of being closed by a flap 2, a tab 3a is again afiixed at 4 to the flap, and terminates at its free end in a V, at 5a, which, however, is orientated in the opposite manner to the V in the version shown in FIGS. 1, 2, so that its free branch 6a is situated underneath the tab 3a. Here again, the tongue 7a, which partially penetrates the opening of the V, is situated below the tab 3a.

The devices interacting with the V of the tab 3a consist of two securing straps 11 and 12, afiixed by their ends to the pouch 1 in such a way that spaces 13 and 14 respectively are left between the lower securing strap 11 and the upper surface of the pouch, on the one hand, and between the two securing straps themselves, on the other hand. It should also be noted that the lower securing strap 11 is wider than the upper securing strap 12, the purpose being explained in due course.

A pulling piece 10 is provided opposite to the V, 5a, as in the preceding version.

The system shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 operates as follows:

To re-close the flap 2, the movable assembly is moved forward in the direction shown by the arrow F7, in such a way as to cause the V, 5a, to penetrate, as well as the tongue 7a partially engaged therein, into the space 14 provided between the securing straps 11 and 12, this insertion movement being guided by the lower securing strap 11, of greater width.

When the devices occupy the relative positions shown in FIG. 12, the movable assembly is drawn back, by means of the pulling piece 10, in the direction shown by the arrow F8, During this movement, the free branch 6a of the V, 5a, engages the space 13 provided between the lower securing strap 11 and the upper surrface of the pouch 1, in such a way that the V is secured in the strap 11. The fiap 2 is thus held in the closed position.

To open the pouch, the movable assembly is restored to the position shown in FIG. 14, by means of a movement opposite to that shown by the arrow F8 in FIG. 13, after which the V, 5a, and the tongue 7a, are modified in shape, by movements according to the arrows F9 and F10 respectively, in such a way as to move these devices into the relative positions shown in FIG. 15, where the tongue 7a is situated underneath the outer tab 6a of the V, 5a, from which it has been disengaged. By traction exerted on the pulling piece 10, in the direction shown by the arrow F11, the devices can then be restored to the position shown in FIG. 16, in which the flap 2 is once again freely movable in relation to the pouch 1.

In order to re-close the pouch 1, the tongue 7a and the V, 5a, must first be restored to the relative positions shown in FIG. 11.

The system of assembly to which the invention relates is characterized, in particular, by its very simple construction, its low cost and its operational reliability.

It can be applied to a number of purposes, some of which are mentioned below, without any limitative effect:

It can be used for closing pouches, cases, envelopes, portfolios, books, registers, files, boxes or other receptacles.

It can be employed for aflixing articles of clothing or ornaments, or as an assembly system for numerous industrial operations, above all in conjunction with elastic elements acting on the movable assembly.

It can be used as a device for hanging curtains or for securing camping equipment, vehicle covers and dustsheets.

As a tightening and assembly device, it can be employed, for example, for making up bundles of objects or preparing rapid packings.

It can also be used as a system for hooking or suspending various devices, particular furniture or decorations, particularly when the hooking or suspension system is provisional and has to be changed frequently and without loss of time.

Needless to say, the constructional versions described above and illustrated in the drawing serve solely as examples, without any limitative effect, and it is obvious that the shape, nature, arrangement and assembly of their respective elements can be modified in any suitable manner, without thereby departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the securing strap to which the hooking device is attached, could be replaced by one single thread.

I claim:

1. A releasable connecting device comprising a first .4 element, a second element, and means for releasably connecting said first element to said second element, said means comprising a strap member secured to said second element so that an open space is provided between said strap and said second element, a longitudinally extending flexible first member secured at one end to and extending from said first element, the free end of said first member being folded over upon itself and forming a hook-shaped end section, said first member secured to said first element so that its free end extends therefrom to a point beyond said strap and is arranged to pass through the open space provided by said strap and is arranged so that the hook shape end section is movable into locking engagement with said strap, a longitudinally extending flexible member secured at one end to said first element at approximately the same position as said first member, said cover member positioned adjacent the side of said first member on which the hook shaped end section is located and extending toward the free end of said first member for a distance sufficient to permit the free end of said flexible cover member to enter into the hook shaped end of said first member, after said first member and said cover member are positioned through the space formed by said strap member, said first member and cover member are displaceable toward said strap so that the hook shaped end section lockingly engages said strap member and said cover member is positioned between said first member and said strap, and disengaging said hook shaped end section from said strap member by displacing said first member through the space provided by said strap member to a position located on the opposite side of said strap member from said first element and placing said cover member over the opening formed by said hook shaped end section whereby said first member and cover member are withdrawable through the open space provided by said strap with said hook shaped end section prevented from engaging said strap by said cover member.

2. A connecting device, as set forth in claim 1, wherein a pulling member affixed to said first member and said cover member at the location of their attachment to said first element for movably displacing said first member and cover member relative to said strap member.

3. A connecting element, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said second element comprises a pouch-like member, said first element comprises an integral part of said pouch member extending outwardly therefrom and arranged to form a closure for the opening in said pouch member, said first element arranged to be displaceable toward and away from said strap on said second element for effecting the attachment and release of said cover to said pouchlike member.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,151,669 8/1915 Depollier 2.4236 X 2,513,256 6/ 1950 Sonnenburg. 2,756,478 7/ 1956 Morrissey 24237 FOREIGN PATENTS 639,743 6/ 1928 France. 574,288 12/ 1945 Great Britain.

BERNARD A. GELAK, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 

